Housing formed from extruded panels

ABSTRACT

A joint for a housing for electrical components has a series of extruded panels connected edge to edge. The first edge includes a slot defined by an inner wall and an outer wall and the second edge includes a blade inserted into the slot, the blade and the flexible wall including cooperating shoulders. The blade and slot are at an angle to the outer surface where a rib engages into an outer recess to seal the outer surface at the joint. A bridging member spans the joint to prevent spreading, while locking the flexible wall and carrying internal components. The housing can form a post or a receptacle on top of the post. The bridging members connect to end plates by screws extending though the plates so as to form an internal structure for the housing. Some of the connected panels can include cooling fins forming a cooling duct.

This invention relates to a housing formed from connecting extrudedpanels edge to edge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,838 issued May 28, 1996 of Glenn Rosendahl isdisclosed a micro processor controlled system is provided for supplyingelectrical power to a plurality of electrical outlets for example foruse in a parking lot. A central power supply communicates with a seriesof outlet receptacles each arranged to supply electrical power. Eachreceptacle has its own micro processor controlled control unit which isarranged to control the supply of power to the receptacle. A detectorunit detects the insertion of a connector plug to the receptacle andactuates a comparator which compares the instantaneous current drawn bythe load with a predetermined variable maximum current and allows thatcurrent to be drawn only if it is less than the maximum. In the eventthat the maximum is exceeded, the load is disconnected and is onlyallowed to be reconnected after the connector plug is removed. Athermostat can be used to control the supply of power depending upon theoutside temperature. The microprocessors can select a part only of acycle for supplying power so that the total power drawn by the centralpower supply is reduced.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,642,670 issued Jan. 5, 2010, the present inventorprovided additional features of an arrangement of the above type anddisclosed a system for supplying electrical power to a plurality ofvehicles from a central power supply through a plurality of electricaloutlets includes an outlet control unit for each of the outlets and avehicle control unit for each of the vehicles. The outlet microprocessorswitches the supply of power to the outlet to communicate data to thevehicle. The vehicle microprocessor communicates data by switching aload across the power supply to provide interaction between themicroprocessors to manage requirement and availability of power. Thedata includes whether the power plant of the vehicle is gasolinepowered, diesel powered, hybrid or electric battery powered. Themicroprocessor of the vehicle control unit is arranged to controlswitches which supply power to selected loads in the vehicle andincludes an interface which is arranged to connect to a Canbuscommunication system of the vehicle.

These arrangements require a suitable housing to locate the electricalcomponents and to provide a support for the outlet receptacle by whichthe vehicle may be attached to the electrical supply. The housing shouldbe resistant to environmental conditions and provide a suitablestructure which can be readily mounted in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,432 (Patti) issued Mar. 7, 2000 discloses a modularpanel for light fixtures. The modular panel includes elongated extrudedpanels of different shapes including a corner panel with a curved crosssection and a flat side panel. The side edges of the corner panelinclude a pair of spaced-apart lips defining an elongated slot foraccommodating a co-operating side edge of an adjacent side panel for atongue-in-groove connection. The corner panel has evenly spaced finsalong the surface to provide structural integrity as well as to scatterlight passing through the panel. Multiple panels being assembled withadjacent intermediate adjoining panels forming a housing having a closedcross section

U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,088 (Agabekov) issued Aug. 15, 1989 discloses anelongated lighting device having a housing with a bottom, two lateralwings, a longitudinally elongated opening adapted to receive atransparent closure, and an electric supply bar mounted on the bottom inthe interior of the housing, so as to be enclosed between the lateralwings and to be placed in front of the elongated opening, the electricsupply bar having at least one insulating support element whereon asucceeding series of electric contact pairs is mounted and which pairsare each destined to receive the connection contacts at the ends of acurrent consuming element such as a tubular electric lamp. A top coveris snap fastened at side edges onto the bottom section.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,083 (Claesson) issued Jul. 9, 1991 discloses anarrangement for open profile lengths intended to permit them to beconnected together to produce a channel structure which is closed aroundits periphery. Two profile lengths of identical execution are connectedtogether to produce a closed channel structure, each of which has itsown flange with the desired external form and a number of connectingelements projecting from a common base are so arranged, with theirchannel-shaped spaces facing towards one another, as to be connectedtogether through the interaction between the flanges and connectingelements in a tongue and groove connection.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,653 (Marrero) issued Jul. 6, 1982 discloses afluorescent lighting fixture having a housing which will flush mount ineither a corner or on a wall or ceiling surface, there being a recessedtrack in the back into which mounting plates slide. The front of thehousing is adapted to accept either a translucent shield for directlighting or an opaque reflector apparatus spaced somewhat from thehousing for indirect lighting. The front reflector is snap fastened inplace by a center snap and two edge tongue and groove connectors.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,792 (Hoke) issued Nov. 5, 1985 discloses an exteriorpost top mounted lighting fixture with a housing formed by four extrudedright-angled aluminum members interlocked together, the housingproviding means for aligning an electrical assembly and the componentsthereof in a predetermined position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,427 (Bayamon) issued Aug. 3, 1971 discloseschannel-shaped posts portions connected together by flanges interfittingwith each other and joined by a plug wedge forced into the ends of theposts between the webs and flanged thereof and concealed inside. Theplug wedges are designed to co-act with the webs and flanges of theposts in such manner that interlocking tongue and groove connectionsbetween the flanges of one channel-shaped post and the flanges of theother channel-shaped post so co-act with each other that the two postsform a single substantially rectangular post.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provides a housing formed fromconnected extruded panels.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a housingcomprising:

a plurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection atside edges;

each of the panels having a male connection member along a first sideedge and a female connection member along a second side edge;

the male connection member being a snap fastening into the femaleconnection member by insertion in a direction at right angles to theedges to form a joint therebetween;

the panels cooperating to form an enclosure defined by the panels forsurrounding the electrical components.

The housing described herein is primarily designed for housingelectrical components where protection from the environment is required,particularly where the components are to be mounted externally such ason a post or other ground support. This arrangement is particularlysuitable where the electrical components provide a controlled electricaloutlet for supplying current to a load such as a vehicle. However thedevice can also be used, not only for the automotive industries, butalso the Recreational Vehicle (RV) and Marine industries, which areknown to include hook-up for a water connection, telephone, cable andInternet, and even perhaps natural gas. Thus the housing may containcomponents for supplying any one or more of these utilities.

Preferably the housing includes panels of different cross section. Thisis particularly useful where the housing forms part of a systemincluding different types of panes which can be selected for connectionedge to edge to form different shape housings for different locationsand for containing different components. Thus the system may include thepanels themselves together with further components which cooperate withthe panels to form the different structures.

Thus some of the panels may be generally straight in cross section andsome of the panels may be generally curved in cross section. Some mayinclude flat outer surface positions. Some may include cooling fins.Some may include corners both external and internal. These can beselected and joined to make the different arrangements of housing asrequired.

Preferably, in order to allow this selection and connection, the maleconnection members of each of the panels are of identical cross sectionand the female connection members of each of the panels are of identicalcross section.

Preferably the panels are formed of an extruded metal to provide asuitable level of strength and resistance to the environment, such asmid steel, stainless steel or aluminum. However other plastics materialscan be used.

Preferably there is provided a plurality of bridging members eachbridging the panels at a respective one of the joints between panels andthe panels each include a receptacle for receiving insert portions ofthe bridging member such that the bridging member bridges the jointinside an inside surface of the housing to hold the joint againstspreading.

Preferably the bridging member extends substantially along the fulllength of the panels. However it can be shorter and used typically atthe ends only.

Preferably the bridging member slides into place along the panels in theform of a zip lock.

Preferably the bridging member forms a support for components locatedinside the panels.

Preferably the bridging member is connected at one end to a supportmember such as a base plate or end plate extending generally at rightangles to the panels so as to provide a connection between the panelsand the plate. There can also be provided two end plates so that the twoend plates and the bridging members form a supporting structure insidethe panels.

Preferably the bridging member is fastened to the end plate by a screwthrough the support member engaging into a channel extendinglongitudinally of the bridging member.

Where cooling of the electrical components in a hot environment isdesirable, at least one of the panels can carry a plurality of coolingfins extending generally outwardly therefrom, either to an inwardlyfacing side or to an outwardly facing side depending on the requireconstruction.

Preferably the panels are arranged connected edge to edge such that thecooling fins form part of a cooling duct extending along the housing.

For example, two or more of the panels may form a cooling duct locatedinside an outer housing with the housing being formed by respective onesof the panels.

In one example the panels are connected to form an upstanding elongatepost.

In one example the panels are connected to form a receptacle on top of apost. In this case the post may also be formed from the panels or may beof a conventional construction.

In another example some of panels may have exterior slots to receiveedges of a slidable face panel. In this case some of panels may beshaped so that they are generally concave so as to form an interiorrecess.

In another example at least one of the panels has an opening forreceiving an electrical outlet receptacle.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided ahousing for electrical components comprising:

a plurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection atside edges;

the panels being connected by longitudinal joints at the side edges toform an enclosure defined by the panels for surrounding the electricalcomponents;

wherein there is provided a plurality of bridging members each bridgingthe panels at a respective one of the joints between panels such thatthe bridging member bridges the joint inside an inside surface of thehousing to hold the joint against spreading;

and wherein the bridging member is connected at one end to a supportmember extending generally at right angles to the panels so as toprovide a connection between the panels and the support member.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a housingfor electrical components comprising:

a plurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection atside edges;

the panels being connected by longitudinal joints at the side edges toform an enclosure defined by the panels for surrounding the electricalcomponents;

wherein at least one of the panels carries a plurality of cooling finsextending generally outwardly therefrom;

and wherein the panels are arranged such that the cooling fins form acooling duct.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided ahousing for electrical components comprising:

a plurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection atside edges;

the panels being connected by longitudinal joints at the side edges toform an enclosure defined by the panels for surrounding the electricalcomponents;

wherein some of panels have exterior slots to receive edges of aslidable face panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a joint between two extruded members forforming a housing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the joint of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one portion only of the joint of FIG. 1 onan enlarged scale.

FIGS. 4 to 12 are a series of top plan views of different housing shapeswhich can be formed by a series of different extruded panels.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view from the bottom and the front of thehousing of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a housing according tothe present invention using the components of the previous figures todefine a post section and a top housing on top of the post.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a housingaccording to the present invention using the components of the previousfigures to define a post section and a top housing on top of the post.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a housing accordingto the present invention using the components of the previous figures todefine a housing with a central cooling duct.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of an internal construction of the post ofFIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of an alternative construction for use informing a post.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the housing shown in FIGS. 4 to 18 are described inmore detail hereinafter. These arrangements of housing use the jointaccording to the present invention which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Thisis formed between a first extruded member 10 having an outside surface10A, an inside surface 10B and a first side edge 10C and a secondextruded member 11 having an outside surface 11A, an inside surface 11Band a second side edge 11C. The first side edge 10C and second side edge11C are arranged to provide cooperating connections for connecting theside edges of the members together to form a connected structure.

The extruded members can be of any construction and typically include asecond side edge 10D on the member 10 and a first side edge 11D on themember 11 for connection to a next extruded member so that each includesmale and female side connectors at respective side edges. In this waythe members can be used to form a complete housing or other structure ofconnected members with male and female connections as required.

The members 10 and 11 are in the embodiment curved so as to be partcylindrical but other shapes can be used as described hereinafter. Themembers 10 and 11 have the outer surface 10A, 11A corrugated to form anattractive appearance but this is of course not an essentialrequirement.

The members 10 and 11 are extruded so that they have a constant crosssection along their length. The material from which they are formed canvary depending on requirements but typically is of sufficient strengthand stiffness to form a structural member such as a housing, post or thelike. In such a case the use of metal such as aluminum, mild coatedsteel or stainless steel is preferred. Thicknesses and dimensions of thewalls and the snap fastening components to accommodate their functionsas described hereinafter can be selected by persons skilled in the artusing conventional knowledge.

The first edge 10C thus has a first cooperating connection member 20 andthe second edge 11C thus has a second cooperating connection member 30with each extending along the first and second edges respectively. Themembers 20 and 30 form cooperating male and female connections by whichthe first edge 10C is fastened to the second edge 11C along the lengthof the edges.

As best shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3, the first connectionmember 20 includes a slot 201 defined by an outer wall 202 and an innerwall 203. The second connection member 30 includes a blade member 301 tobe inserted into the slot 201 in a snap fastening action.

The blade member 301 is relatively stiff and is not intended to flex.The blade member 301 has a ramp surface 303 leading to a shoulder 302 onthe side thereof adjacent the outer wall 203. The inner wall 203includes a cooperating shoulder 204 so that when seated the shoulderssit in engagement at an angle generally at right angles to a direction Dof insertion of the blade into the slot so as to hold the blade insertedinto the slot against movement opposite to the direction D. In order toallow the insertion, the wall 203 is flexible to allow the shoulders 302and 204 to pass by the wall 203 flexing away from the blade when pressedinwardly by the ramp surface 303 sliding over an inlet surface 205 ofthe wall 203.

In order to allow the flexing of the inner wall 203, the inner wall 203has a thinner portion 206 at a base end 207 of the slot 201 and a widerportion 208 at the outer end of the slot 201 at the surface 205 with thewider portion defining the shoulder 204.

The slot 201 and the blade 301 are inclined at an angle A to a plane Pat the outer surface of the first and second extruded members at thejoint. The angle A is of the order of 30 degrees but can be larger andas much as 45 degrees.

The second connection member 30 includes a second slot 304 parallel tothe slot 201 in the first connection member and arranged to receive theouter wall 202 of the first connection member. As the slot 304 isparallel to the slot 201, these slots define the direction D ofinsertion at the angle A to the plane P.

The first connection member 20 includes an overlapping rib portion 209at the outer surface 10A which engages onto the outer surface 11A of thesecond of the extruded members. In order to receive this rib portion andstill provide a flush or contiguous outer surface at the junctionbetween the surfaces 10A and 11A, the surface 11A includes a recess 305which matches the rib. Both the recess 305 and the rib 209 include aside surface 210 which is parallel to the plane P so that the insertionof the overlapping rib portion 209 into the recess 305 is parallel tothe plane P and the outer surfaces at the joint.

The use of the inclination angle A as opposed to being just a straighttongue and groove is that:

a) In order for the joint to fail and come apart it requires theextruded members move apart one form the other in two directions, notjust movement one apart from the other, but also one moving up as theother moves down.

b) As well the idea of the angle increases surface area of the jointtherefore creating a stronger joint.

c) The increased surface area of the connecting joint increases thewater resistance of the joint due to the increased distance, andopposing angle, of the likely flow the water would have to travel inorder to compromise the joint.

d) Also in assembly of the joint the visual clue to a tight joint iseasier to ascertain as one extrusion is set higher than the other if thejoint is not properly connected.

As the snap action of connecting the connection members 20 and 30 isbased on the flexing of the thinner portion 206 of the wall 203, thiscan be locked by providing a retention member 401 of a bridging member40. The retention member 401 is a set screw with a head 402 and a frontface 403 for contacting the outer wall 203 to hold the outer wallagainst flexing so that compression of the outer wall 203 acts tosqueeze the blade member 301 in the slot 201 and prevent the blade frombeing pulled out of the slot due to the engagement of the shoulders 204and 302. For this purpose, the outer wall 203 at the wider portion 208includes a surface 211 which is parallel to the plane P and thus to theouter wall and thus butts flush against the front face 403 of the screw401.

The bridging member 40 spans the joint and is supported by the first andsecond extruded members at its respective ends. Thus the first andsecond extruded members 10, 11 each include a receptacle 10E, 11E forreceiving insert portions 404, 405 of the bridging member such that thebridging member bridges the joint inside the inside surface to hold thejoint against spreading. Each receptacle 10E, 11E forms a partcylindrical slot with a part cylindrical inner wall 10F and an openmouth 10G narrower than the wall. The insert portions include a neck 407and a compressible bead 408 which can be snapped into the receptacle bycompression of the bead so that the outside surface of the bead matchesthe cylindrical surface 10F. The bridging member can extendsubstantially along the full length of the first and second extrudedmembers and can slide into place along the first and second extrudedmembers. The necks 407 extend generally at right angles to the surfaceor to the plane P so that tension tending to allow the joint to part iscommunicated at right angles to the neck and through the bridging memberitself so that the bridging member resists the movement of the jointapart and thus acts as a lock. The bridging member extends across thejoint close to the inner surface of the joint at the wall 203 and thusprovides a support for the joint without significantly interfering withthe area inside the structure. The bridging member includes alongitudinal slot 409 with a mouth 410 and a part cylindrical receptacle411 for attaching components inside the structure.

Each of the receptacles 10E, 11E and 409 is of the type which canreceive a screw fastener engaged into the end of the part cylindricalwall inserted longitudinally into one end of the slot.

The bridging member 40 can also be used, as shown in FIG. 1, to form asupport 415 for components located inside the panels using mounting pins416 carried on the member 40 or by other mounting elements using forexample the receptacle 409.

Turning now to the construction of housing for electrical componentsformed using the panels and joint construction described above and shownin the further figures, in FIG. 14 particularly is shown a constructionfor mounting a housing for the electrical components (not shown). Theconstruction comprises a concrete base 52 defined by a footing portion50 and a cylindrical upstanding portion 51. These are typically mountedin or on the ground as a structural base for the housing constructionand can be of any shape or arrangement dependent on the number ofhousings to be mounted and the terrain on which they are to be mounted.

The housing construction includes a post 60 attached to the portion 51and a top receptacle section 70. The electrical components can bemounted in one or both of the post and receptacle depending on theconstruction and size of the components. Typically an electrical supplyand optionally communication cables will pass through the base 52 intothe post for supplying the electrical components.

The post 60 comprises a plurality of extruded panels 10, 11 connected byjoints at edges 10C and 11C. A bridging member 40 spans the joint. Allthese components are of the construction described above so that it isnot necessary to repeat that description here. Thus each of the panelshas a male connection member 30 along a first side edge and a femaleconnection member 20 along a second side edge for connection of the malemembers with the female members as previously described. Thus the maleconnection member provide a snap fastening into the female connectionmember by insertion in a direction of the blade 301 into the slot 201 atright angles to the edges to form a joint therebetween. Thus the panels10 and 11 cooperate to form a cylindrical enclosure forming a postdefined by the panels for surrounding the electrical components.

At each joint is provided a respective one of the plurality of bridgingmembers 40 each bridging the panels at a respective one of the jointsbetween panels. Each of the panels includes the receptacle 10E, 11E forreceiving the insert portions 404, 405 of the bridging member 40 suchthat the bridging member bridges the joint inside an inside surface ofthe housing to hold the joint against spreading. The bridging members 40extend along the full length of the panels 10, 11 and slide into placealong the panels.

The post 60 further includes, as best shown in FIG. 17, a bottom endplate 601 and a top end plate 602 at right angles to the panels. Eachbridging member is connected at one end to a support member or plate 601and at the other end to the plate 602 extending generally at rightangles to the panels so as to provide a connection between the panelsand the support members or plates 601, 602. Thus the plates and thebridging members form a structural member for holding the panels 10, 11in place.

Each plate 601, 602 includes a recess 603 indented onto the facereceiving the bridging member and shaped to match the inner face of thebridging member 40 at the receptacle 409 therein. Thus the end face ofthe bridging member sits in the recess 603 and is prevented frommovement relative to the end plate by this recess. The bridging memberis fastened to the plate by a screw 604 engaged though holes 605 in theend plate at the recess 603 which screws engage into the end of the partcylindrical receptacle 409 as a screw fit to tighten the bridging memberagainst the end plate.

Thus the bridging members are connected at each end to a respective oneof two end support member extending generally at right angles to thepanels so that the two end support members and the bridging members forma supporting structure inside the panels. The panels are then connectedon the outside of this structure by engaging their joints and byattaching the bridging members, by sliding the connected panels alongthe supporting structure. The end plates 601 and 602 have a central hole606 allowing the insertion of the electrical components and/or theconnection leads.

The bottom plate 601 is fastened to the portion 51 by suitable fasteners(not shown). The top plate forms a support for a base 701 of thereceptacle 70.

In FIG. 14, the receptacle 70 is relatively small and is formed by twopanels 702 and 703 connected by edge connection joints 20 and 30 aspreviously described. Additional panels in the manner of FIG. 4 can alsobe provided depending on the size of the receptacle required. The bottomplate 701 is formed in two sections 706 and 706 with a hole 707 which isconnected by edge connectors 20 and 30 as previously described. Thebottom plate is fastened to the panels 702 and 703 by screws extendingthrough the plate into the ends of the receptacles 10E and 11E (FIG. 3).A top plate 704 forms a closed top formed in one piece and fastened tothe panels 702 and 703 by screws (not shown). Each of the panels 702 and703 includes a hole 709 through the wall thereof to access the interiorso that an electrical outlet of a conventional construction can bemounted in the wall to allow connection of a plug from a vehicle or thelike, with the electrical connection to the internal electricalcomponents passing through the wall to the interior. In this embodimentmost of the electrical components are housed in the pose and the topreceptacle is primarily merely a support for the electrical outlets.

In FIG. 15 is provided a similar arrangement in which there is provideda base 52, a post 60 and a receptacle 80. In this case the receptacle ismuch larger and is intended to contain all of the electrical components.In this case the receptacle is formed of panels 801 and 802 and a topplate 803 all forming a generally rectangular construction with verticalsides. The panels 801 are curved to form corners of the receptacle. Thepanels 802 are flat and include holes 804, 805 for electrical outlets.In this arrangement the bridging members 40 are omitted from thereceptacle and the fastening of the panels to the top and bottom platesis effected solely by the insertion of screws 806 into the receptacles10E, 11E.

Turning now to FIG. 16, there is shown a further arrangement ofreceptacle 90 which can be mounted on a post or directly in a groundbase. A base plate 901 and a top plate 904 is connected to flat panels902, with holes 913, and corner panels 903 in the manner previouslydescribed.

In this embodiment there is provided a cover plate 905 mounted on top ofthe top plate 904 and held spaced from it by spacer panels 906 and 907around the edge. The panels 906 and 907 match in shape the panels 902and 903 and attach in similar manner. A cooling duct 915 extends throughthe receptacle 90 from a bottom hole 912 in the plate 901 to a top hole914 in the plate 904. The cooling duct is formed of two connected panels909 and 909 using joints 916 and receptacles 911 as previouslydescribed. The surface of the panels 908 and 909 carries cooling fins910. These extend outwardly from the surface of the respective panel andcan project to the interior or the exterior of the duct 915, butpreferably extend to the interior so as to engage air passing though theduct. The air flow is caused by convection and thus enters the ductthrough the bottom hole 912 and escapes the duct through the top hole914 into the area between the top late 904 and the cover plate 905. Thepanels 906 have holes to allow the escape of the air. Thus the panelscan be used to effect cooling of the electrical components in locationswhere significant ambient heat can cause overheating. Thus in thisembodiment, the panels 908 and 909 are arranged such that the coolingfins form a cooling duct on an inside of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 10, at least one of the panels carries a plurality ofcooling fins 120 on the exterior extending generally outwardlytherefrom.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 some of panels 130 and 140 are shaped sothat they are generally concave so as to form an interior cornerdefining a recess 141 which has a hole 142 for the mounting of anoutlet. Thus the hole 142 is protected in a recess and is not presentedmerely on the outside as previously described. This allows someprotection for the hole by way of a cover 143 and a sliding front panel144. Both the cover 143 and the panel 144 have edge beads 145 mounted inreceptacles 146 on the panels 130 and 140 thus defining exterior slotsto receive edges of the slidable face panel.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 12, the housing includes panels of differentcross section. Thus as shown in FIG. 4, some of the panels 190 aregenerally straight or flat in cross section and some 191 form corners. Ashort connector panel 192 can also be provided.

Thus as shown in FIG. 5, some of the panels 193 define a flat plate 194with the connectors 20 and 30 extending at right angles to the rear faceof the flat panel.

In FIG. 6, a T-shaped cross section is formed using flat panels 190,part cylindrical panels 197 and inverted corner panels 198.

In FIG. 7, a hexagonal cross section is formed using flat panels 190,and short 60 degree connector panels 198.

In FIG. 8, a circular cross section is formed using four partcylindrical panels 197.

In FIG. 9, a D-shaped cross section is formed using part cylindricalpanels 197 and flat plate panels 193.

In FIG. 10, an oval cross section is formed using part cylindricalpanels 197 and short connector panels 198.

In FIG. 11, a triangular cross section is formed using straight panels190 and short connector panels 198.

This construction to form different cross sections is obtained since themale connection members of each of the panels are of identical crosssection and the female connection members of each of the panels are ofidentical cross section.

FIG. 18 shows a modification of the arrangement of FIG. 17 where therecesses 621 for the end of the bridging members 40 are spaced inwardlyfrom an outer edge 624 of the plate 620 so that the panels 10 and 11(not shown in this figure) sit on the outer periphery of the platerather than being located outside the plates as in FIG. 17. Thus theplate 620 fully closes the end of the housing.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A housing comprising: a plurality of extruded panels arranged side byside for connection at side edges; each of the panels having a maleconnection member along a first side edge and a female connection memberalong a second side edge; the male connection member being a snapfastening into the female connection member by insertion in a directionat right angles to the edges to form a joint therebetween; the panelscooperating to form an enclosure defined by the panels for surroundinghoused components; wherein there is provided a plurality of bridgingmembers each bridging the panels at a respective one of the jointsbetween panels; and wherein the panels each include a receptacle forreceiving insert portions of the bridging member such that the bridgingmember bridges the joint inside an inside surface of the housing to holdthe joint against spreading.
 2. The housing according to claim 1 whereinthe housing includes panels of different cross section.
 3. The housingaccording to claim 2 wherein some of the panels are generally straightin cross section.
 4. The housing according to claim 2 wherein some ofthe panels are generally curved in cross section.
 5. The housingaccording to claim 1 wherein the male connection members of each of thepanels are of identical cross section and the female connection membersof each of the panels are of identical cross section.
 6. The housingaccording to claim 1 wherein the panels are formed of an extruded metal.7. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the bridging member extendssubstantially along the full length of the panels.
 8. The housingaccording to claim 7 wherein the bridging member slides into place alongthe panels.
 9. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the bridgingmember forms a support for components located inside the panels.
 10. Thehousing according to claim 1 wherein the bridging member is connected atone end to a support member extending generally at right angles to thepanels so as to provide a connection between the panels and the supportmember.
 11. The housing according to claim 10 wherein the support memberis an end plate.
 12. The housing according to claim 11 wherein thebridging member is connected at each end to a respective one of two endsupport member extending generally at right angles to the panels so thatthe two end support members and the bridging members form a supportingstructure inside the panels.
 13. The housing according to claim 1wherein the bridging member is fastened to the support member by a screwthrough the support member engaging into a channel extendinglongitudinally of the bridging member.
 14. The housing according toclaim 1 wherein the panels are connected to form an upstanding elongatepost.
 15. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the panels areconnected to form a receptacle on top of a post.
 16. The housingaccording to claim 1 wherein some of panels have exterior slots toreceive edges of a slidable face panel.
 17. The housing according toclaim 1 wherein some of panels are shaped so that they are generallyconcave so as to form an interior recess.
 18. The housing according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of the panels has an opening for receivingan electrical outlet receptacle.
 19. A housing comprising: a pluralityof extruded panels arranged side by side for connection at side edges;the panels being connected by longitudinal joints at the side edges toform an enclosure defined by the panels for surrounding housedcomponents; wherein there is provided a plurality of bridging memberseach bridging the panels at a respective one of the joints betweenpanels such that the bridging member bridges the joint inside an insidesurface of the housing to hold the joint against spreading; wherein thebridging member is connected at one end to a support member extendinggenerally at right angles to the panels so as to provide a connectionbetween the panels and the support member; and wherein the bridgingmember forms a support for components located inside the panels.
 20. Thehousing according to claim 19 wherein the bridging member extendssubstantially along the full length of the panels.
 21. The housingaccording to claim 19 wherein the bridging member slides into placealong the panels.
 22. The housing according to claim 19 wherein thesupport member is an end plate.
 23. The housing according to claim 19wherein the bridging member is connected at each end to a respective oneof two end support member extending generally at right angles to thepanels so that the two end support members and the bridging members forma supporting structure inside the panels.
 24. A housing comprising: aplurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection atside edges; each of the panels having a male connection member along afirst side edge and a female connection member along a second side edge;the male connection member being a snap fastening into the femaleconnection member by insertion in a direction at right angles to theedges to form a joint therebetween; the panels cooperating to form anenclosure defined by the panels for surrounding housed components;wherein the female connection member includes a slot defined by an innerwall and an outer wall; wherein the male connection member includes ablade member with an inner surface and an outer surface inserted intothe slot; wherein the blade member has a shoulder on the innersurface—thereof adjacent the inner wall of the slot; wherein the innerwall of the slot includes a cooperating shoulder and is flexible toallow the shoulders to pass; and wherein the outer surface of the blademember and the outer wall of the slot define planar wall surfaces whichslide over one another as the blade member moves into the slot to guidemovement of the blade member into the slot.
 25. The housing according toclaim 24 wherein the planar wall surfaces lie at an angle to a commonoutside plane of the panels at the joint to guide the movement of theblade member as it enters the slot.
 26. The joint according to claim 24wherein the inner wall of the slot has a surface parallel to a commonoutside plane of the panels at the joint and there is provided aretention member butting the surface parallel to the common outsideplane to hold the blade member in the slot.
 27. The joint according toclaim 24 wherein the inner wall of the slot has a thinner portion at abase of the slot and a wider portion at an end of the slot with thewider portion defining the shoulder.
 28. The joint according to claim 24wherein the female connection member includes a second slot parallel tothe planar wall surfaces and arranged to receive a blade member of themale connection member.
 29. The joint according to claim 24 whereinthere is provided an overlapping rib portion on the male connectionmember which engages into a recess on the outer surface of the femaleconnection member.
 30. The joint according to claim 29 wherein theoverlapping rib portion and the recess have surface parallel to a commonoutside plane of the panels at the joint.
 31. The joint according toclaim 24 wherein there is provided a retention member contacting theinner wall of the slot to hold the inner wall against flexing to holdthe blade member in the slot.
 32. The joint according to claim 31wherein the retention member is carried on a bridging member spanningthe joint and supported by the male and female extruded members.
 33. Thejoint according to claim 32 wherein the retention member is a set screw.